One of the guests at the opening of the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater was Dinah Shore. Even though they no longer were an item, she brought in The Dinah Shore Show and spent an entire week taping the show with guests like Carol Burnett, Andy Gibbs, The Beach Boys and numerous other celebrities. Most stayed at the Jupiter Beach Hilton (Jupiter Beach Resort) They were all over town to the delight of the residents CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JAN DAVISSON

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a third story based upon the personal recollections of Burt Reynolds by area locals. This fond memory, as was the others - so close to home - is shared by Annette Maraist of Jupiter.

The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theater in North Palm Beach offers postgraduate classes in acting and film production. The classes were taught by Charles Nelson Reilly and other celebrities, and were taught by Burt himself.

Dear to his heart

The school was dear to Burt's heart.

"For the first time since the museum (Burt Reynolds and Friends Museum) closed, it feels like we are at home," he said. Although Burt could have charged more, the classes have been very affordable. "We're about the students," says Donna M. Carbone, the Institute's managing director. "Mr. Reynolds has always believed in giving back for his good luck."

The "B.L. Stryker" television series was filmed here in Jupiter, bringing our hometown into living rooms across the country about Stryker, an ex-policeman who lived on a houseboat, and got caught up solving mysteries with the local police.

Burt was born in Lansing, Michigan.

After moving to South Florida, he became an acclaimed football star. When an injury he sustained became worsened due to a car accident, he started his acting career, studying at Palm Beach Junior College. Watson B. Duncan III, his English teacher, admired the way Burt read Shakespeare. Burt credited Duncan with being the most important influence in his life.

My mother dated Burt

My mother, Maryanne Maraist, dated Burt before he hit the big screen. She was 16, and he was five years older.

Describing their first date, she shares, "We were on the front porch talking. Burt unknowingly leaned his elbow on the doorbell. My mother came flying out of the door, demanding to know what was wrong."

That was the first time Burt met my Sicilian grandmother, and he had a crush on her thereafter. My mom would take Burt to school dances at St. Anne's, where she attended school. Burt would always request the band to play "My Buddy.".

Your legacy lives on

Burt's close friends called him Buddy. After Burt was hurt in the car accident, my grandfather would drive him home to see my mom every day. My mother says that Burt was always a gentleman.

Thank you, Burt, for the good times, the generosity and the caring that you gave to us here in Jupiter. Your legacy lives on.